4:44

My Dad died in 2007, May 20th. Normally, people would talk about what a great life someone led or how amazing they were. My Dad and I were never really close. My Dad liked to spend time alone with his many books. When I was growing up he would put on amazing spreads for dinner parties... ah he had a knack for creating fabulous food and growing amazing gardens. When I was little we always had a green house full of tomatoes. But later in life he seldom cooked, gardened and he spent more and more time with his drink and his books.

You might think, why are you so down on your Dad? I am just being honest. But that is not why I am writing this blog. While I was home to set dad out to sea, he was cremated, the Christmas Cactus bloomed in our basement, did I mention it was May? Way out of season. I saw it and said "Thanks Dad for giving me a sign."

This blog is about 4:44, a time when my dad came to me a few weeks after he died.
After I had returned to Fort McMurray, one night I awoke from a deep sleep to the smell of smoke, not like smoke from  a fire but from a Player's Plain cigarette! I woke up and sat on the edge of the bed. No one in our house smoked and no windows were open. I didn't wake my husband up. I just looked at the clock radio glowing in the dark, 4:44. "I love you dad, but I have to work tomorrow, night." I lay back down and went to sleep.

Since he has passed, I can not even tell you how many times he has waken me up at that time, now he has recruited our puppy to help do his dirty work. It has extended into the day time as well, I just walked into the kitchen to make a cup of tea. 4:44 the clock read... "Hi Dad, love you." Now it has become a habit, it seems if I am annoyed or need to take a break and change gears 4:44 will appear, seemingly out of nowhere! One night my husband and I were watching Team Canada in an important World Junior Hockey Game and the officials stopped the game with 4:44 left on the clock, "Come on Jim, just one more goal" my husband urged, funny my Dad was never a hockey fan in this life but in the next I guess he just wants to see me happy. Actually, I know he does. Even his parents who passed when I was in my late teens and early twenties seem to be protective spirits around me.

4:44 calms me, makes me smile and it makes me think. 4:44 makes me remember what is important and it gives my heart peace. I wish you all a 4:44.

"Love you, Dad!"

Hope in the Dark

Last night I participated in The Center of Hope's 4th annual Hope in the Dark

The Centre of Hope is Fort McMurray's homeless shelter helps homeless people by inspiring hope, encouraging change through love, kindness and acceptance. Last night was the 4th annual Hope in the Dark, a Homelessness Awareness campaign where residents could sign up to sleep and eat rough for a night. We had to trade pop bottles and cans for a hot dog. We were able to gather some flattened boxes to sleep on. Don't leave your stuff unattended or it may disappear!

At around 11pm a candlelight vigil was held for those patrons of the centre that we have lost. Earlier in the night Tina from Southbound sang a few songs as well as David with his guitar and Nathan did some thought provoking spoken-word. I wanted to share this video to describe the stats from 2013. 


Why Hope in the Dark

How do you want to be treated?

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

Video 4

Video 5

This was my presentation: There is Hope in the Dark

There is Hope in the Dark

I have never written a blog with videos but this is the only way to relay the message. Thanks to my BFF for recording it.

well, it sure has been a while

Guess if I am putting this  blog back out there I should add a new post!
Paul and I moved back to Fort McMurray in October 2013. Our condo was destroyed by our renters but that was not the only thing that had changed. I had changed, I knew I was back in Fort Mac for a reason, I just didn't know what that reason was. It took me a month to make the condo livable again. Then Christmas and the job search began.
I was quite happy subbing in the public school district. Then one day in January, while I was subbing at Westwood High School, Julie (Francophone EA) says to me "you speak French? My son's English teacher just left the Francophone school and they are looking for someone.  You should put your resume in!" I mulled it over for a couple days and then Thursday evening I thought to myself "what have I got to lose?" I fired off an email to Sonia Coulombe. I had no idea that my email would be answered within minutes. Sonia who was 9 months pregnant with twins happened to get out of bed for a glass of water and she saw that I had left an email. She desperately wanted to fill the position before she went on maternity leave. She emailed me immediately and I met with her for an interview the following Monday. Nicole and Caroline joined Sonia for my interview. Nicole would be taking over as principal and Caroline was the school's longest standing teacher with 24 years under her belt. At the end of the interview Sonia said, I discussed your resume with Mr Lemire, the Super Intendant of Commission Scolaire Centre Nord. He said "with her credentials you would be a fool to let Janice get away!"
Then and there she offered me the part time English position which I accepted.
By the time May rolled around I felt very comfortable with the staff and students, I was only working 0.3 so I asked if I could be considered for the 0.4 classroom support teacher position. I am very happy to say I was offered this position and this school year has been wonderful. I work 0.7 which means I get Mondays off. Everyone knows 3 day weekends are a blessing. I love my classes and I love my students and my colleagues.
I am not sure what next school year will bring but for now I appreciate every day for the blessing that it is and I am so thankful that God lead us back to Fort McMurray.